Kim Sei-young shoots 62 to take two-stroke lead at LPGA Shanghai

Kim Sei-young set off with a five-birdie blitz Thursday and finished with three more on her way to a 10-under par 62 and a two-stroke lead after the first round of Buick LPGA Shanghai.

The South Korean former world No 2 rattled home nine birdies and eagle against just one dropped shot to go clear of France's Celine Boutier, who shot 64, with American Lucy Li a stroke further back.

"It was really fun to play the front nine," said Kim after the round, describing her opening birdie streak after starting her round on the 10th as a "good vibe".

Sei Young Kim sets an 18-hole tournament scoring record to lead the Buick LPGA Shanghai!

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An eagle on the par-five 17th and another birdie on the par-four 18th took Kim to the turn in a dazzling eight-under-par 28.

Kim said she felt at home in China, where she has a history of playing well.

"I think that's why I play more relaxed and good results come to me," the 31-year-old said.

World No 9 Boutier, who won her first major last July, had a six-hole birdie streak in the middle of her round to surge into second after a slow start.

Boutier said the Shanghai course was "very scorable", adding that "if you hit the fairways you definitely can have a lot of chances.

"Obviously a lot can happen still in the next three rounds," she said.

Defending champion Angel Yin of the United States had a 67, five shots off the lead, with the highlight an eagle on the par-five 17th.

China's world No 4 Yin Ruoning is the highest-ranked player in the field, but she couldn't ignite her home support with a level-par 72 leaving her eight strokes off the pace.

Hannah Green of Australia, the world No 7, had a day to forget with five-over-par 77.